Last month Guido declared that if Osborne doesn’t risk any more British taxes to the IMF, then he would run naked from the EU HQ around Smith Square on St Patrick’s Day. The Chancellor promised back in October: “Britain will not be putting money into the bail-out fund either directly or through the IMF”. Well it looks like Guido’s dignity has been saved:

“My attitude is first of all I’m very happy at any point to explain this to parliament, if I needed to seek and felt it was right to offer something more than the current parliamentary limit allows… Of course, that wouldn’t be my decision it would be parliament’s decision. But let’s hear what the IMF proposal is first, let’s hear what the G20 responses are. If we need specific parliamentary approval for it, then we will seek it.”

This isn’t the first time a convenient short-term promise from Osborne has been quietly forgotten…

Quote of the Day

Chuka Umunna on Seumas Milne re Russia:

“Have read the comments of the Leader of the Opposition’s spokesperson. Mr Milne’s comments do not represent the views of the majority of our voters, members or MPs. We’ll get abuse for saying so but where British lives have been put at risk it is important to be clear about this.”